Group Counseling for Smoking Cessation

Overview

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effectiveness of group therapy for cigarette smoking cessation. The group meets for 8 sessions and includes education and group discussion about the effects of smoking and ways to cope with withdrawal symptoms and other challenges to maintaining abstinence. In one condition, the groups also learn techniques based on cognitive therapy, to help cope with negative feelings.

The comparison condition is the same length as the cognitive behavior therapy condition but omits the cognitive restructuring component. In both conditions, smokers prepare for a quit date by using scheduled reduced smoking, which involves smoking on a set schedule that gradually reduces the number of cigarettes smoked. Post-treatment assessments occur one week after the end of treatment, and at 3-month followup. Pre- and post-treatment assessments include measures of coping skills and emotional acceptance, as well as smoking rate.

Conditions

Interventions

Eligibility

Locations (1)

Outcomes